The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-18
LAwTON's STEAL.
A New York Man Disappears, Leaving Liza
bilities Amounting to ST. ,OOO,OOO.

bilities Amounting to ST. 100000.
New YORK, March 11-Sheriff Grant has
seized the place of business of Walter E. Law
ton. at No 81 Broadway, who did business un-
der the firm name Of Lawton Brothers, as fer
tilizers under attachment from Judge Donohue
of the Supreme Court, on creditors claims
amounting to $245 O00 1t is charged that Law
ton has absconded to defraud his creditors that
he has disposed of his property and taken
large amount of money with him. Lawton was
a director in the Delta Azotin Company, and
was intrusted with 900 in notes to discount
for the company on March 15. Lawton is said
to have absconded with the proceeds of the dis
counted notes. The disappearance of Lawton
has created great deal of apprehension, and it
is generally believed that he is bankrupt. He
left the office on Tuesday afternoon. usual, to
go to his home on the Hudson, and has not been
seen since. To-day his cashier states that sew
eral attachments were obtained, but outside of
that nothing is known. The amount of his liza
bilites is estimated at about 81 900, 600. Mr..
Lawton is widower and the sole representative
of the firm, his brother, who was associated with
him. having died some time ago. The cashier
states that Tuesday Lawton withdrew all his
tied, and took the money with him. Lawton,
before his departure, destroyed all stubs, checks
and papers of every kind, from which any infor-
nation could be secured, as to the disposition of
funds and property. Joseph D. Jones placed in
Lawton's care, on Tuesday on behalf of the
company $12. 900. This is also gone. Kirkland
states that on Tuesday he had an interview with
Lawton at Broadway and Wall streets, and that
Lawton requested him to go with him to the off,
GERS Of the Third National Bank and introduce
him. This he did. Lawton also asked him to
obtain blank warranty deed for the convey
ance of real estate in New Jersey, and to meet
him at the New York Hotel He met Lawton
there with the blank deed, and both went to the
Grand Central Depot. Lawton told Kirkland
he intended to leave the city by train; that he
had drawn out all money on Deposit that he
was ruined; that he did not know what to do,
and that he would probably commit suicide.
Lawton further said that he had exhausted all
his resources, and was not able to pay out
any money in his possession. He left Kirkland
to take train.
The second attachment was issued at tie in
stance of the Chemical Ammoniate and Oil Com
pany, upon a similar claim. The company de-
livered to Lawton promisory notes of the value
of $120 000 IN trust, to discount the notes and
hold the paper for the compauy's benefit. In
addition he received $8, 600 in money. He dis
counted the notes kept the paper and also
tanned the money and converted it to his own
The third claim is one of 5000 for pro-
fessional services by Robert A. Van Wyck, rem
dered to Lawton.
number of banks were reported TO be heavy
losers through the negotiations of Lawtons
paper among them the First and Third National
banks, the Bank of the Republic and the Chemi-
cal Bank. The president of the First National
Bank denied that the bank had ever handled any
of Lawton's paper. The president of the Ameri-
can Exchange National Bank, which was also re-
ported to be a heavy loser, would neither affirm
nor deny the rumor. The president of the Third
National Bank says that his institution holds but
a very small amount, which is secured by good
indorsers just before leaving the city Lawton
drew from the Third National Bank. on checks,
0.000 or $4,000 Some of these checks to the
amount of &c. 900 were returned unpaid through
tie clearing house.
Mr.. Abraham King said this afternoon to
reporter: IL have filed claims in the Office of
the county clerk for the companies of which I
am the attorney The amount of the claims
will aggregate more than $400, 900. The prop
erty which l have attached amounts to about
much. l have no means OF knowing just how
much Lawton's liabilities will be, but they will
be over $500, 0G0. l don't know where Lawton
has gone to, but wish l did,
"Do you think he has gone to join the Ameri
can contingent in CanadaP
II don't know. I should fancy not. We
could bring him back if he did 90. He has taken
| away about 5000 900 which he raised on the
notes of the companies for which | am acting
cannot tell just yet, and may not be able for
| several days to tell, how badly different com
panies and banks will suffer-"
| The associates of w. E. Lawton look upon his
| disappearance as part of gigantic swindling
| operation. The book keeper of the firm is re-
! ported to have lost all he had in the world One
man. who is heavy loser said that Lawton had
overdrawn all his accounts got all the money on
his paper that he could, sold his house. converted
! all his property into cash. and left for England
Yesterday on his way to his brother, who lives in
| Sussex. The amount involved by his operations
is placed by everybody at over ST. 100000
Lawton was tae president and treasurer of the
Navassa Phosphate Company, at No. 33 Broad
! way and in Baltimore, and is reported to have
! used the company's Endorsement freely. The
| company was Incorporated Sept. 8, 1864 with a
capital stock of 50 900. which was reduced On
Feb. 90 1854, to s., 110, 600. Lawton was said to
hold controlling interest in the company, and
| the latter was interested in the Navassa Guano
| Company, the Chesapeake Guano Company
| the Georgia Chemical Works and the Rosin
Fertilizer Company. The island of Navassa,
| in the Caribbean sea- is reported to have cost
the Navassa Phosphate Company $1,000 Oo0
| The company paid good dividends. and Lawton
| was supposed to have made good deal money
out of the concern. Mr.. Lawton was one Of the
incorporators of the Delta Azotin Company,
| fertilizers, at 1873 Water street, which was in
corporaied Feb. l, 1883, with capital of 800,
00O. y. -. Jones ls the president and active
manager. James p. Cumming and Rufus Y.
| Kirkland both connected with Mr. Lawton's
Office, are respectively, vice president and treas
urer. The company erected factory on the
Hackersack river, at Delta. N. j., and Lawton
| owns the land on which it was erected
Lawtou made the following statement to Brad
streets. Aug. a. 1886:
| l regard myself as worth fully 81, 600 ooo and
even more. and at no time do owe exceeding 500,
000 tn payment of which is provided for by insur
| ance of $l05 900 on my life made PAYABLE to the
holders OF sas obligations, should there be any al